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JORDAN RUDESS_STEVE HORELICK_Intersonic_

JORDAN RUDESS / STEVE HORELICK

Intersonic

(2018 – LAZY BONES RECORDINGS – USA)

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http://www.lazybones.com/artists/jordan-rudess-steve-horelick-electric

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It may surprise many people who listen to this recording but it was all improvised. Yes, both musicians simply sat down, played each instrument, responding, listening closely to each other and themselves, the tones, textures, phrasing, timbre and atmosphere, and thus the music was created. Of course many years of experience performing this way is the success of such an outcome. The compositions are a million miles from piddling, pretending, or amateurish hodgepodge. In fact, the music is outstanding. And that is what one would expect if you know anything about Jordan Rudess (former keyboard whiz for Dixie Dregs and now permanent member of Dream Theater, designer of several musical synth apps and founder of Roli Seaboards), or Steve Horelick (founder of The Electronic Art Ensemble, an experimental electronic noise band, and more well known for his incredible amount of television theme music and film scores – such as a baseball documentary HBO series called “When It Was a Game,” which earned him his first EMMY nomination – Steve has done over 350 scores for films, TV, and games).

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Using a long list of instruments (and of course gadgets/software/wonderment), Jordan and Steve build magical musical structures that at times remind me of Mark Isham (without the trumpet), Jan Hammer, Colin Towns, Bjorn Jason Lindh (in his ‘Atlantis’ period), Keith Jarret, Duncan MacKay (on his ‘Score’ solo), with alternating flavors of Roedelius, Rick Wakeman, Vangelis, Tony Banks, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. That is what adds to the eminence of ‘Intersonic’. Piano and all else trade celestial with stellar beauty. The balance between experimental and song format is blameless. Same goes for the atmospheres created going from sparse to rich and huge engulfing washes, and grand themes. Some very highly engaging moments reach epic soundtrack style in the mold of such greats as Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard. You can certainly hear the input of Steve Horelick throughout. Nothing about this set of compositions seems like improvised music, so for all ye skeptics, put your money on ‘Intersonic’ for a truly great listening experience.

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A bonus download card comes with the CD so you have three more tracks to download and add to the main songs. I truly loved this release and added it to my permanent library. It surprised me how scored and detailed it was. As if it took them a couple of years to put together and record. The piano parts alone are stunning and unforgettable. You will want to listen many times. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

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Reviewed by Lee Henderson 3 – 27 – 2018

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A  magazine focused on inventive, progressive, and creative music in any genre that stands out from the rest
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ACQUA FRAGILE
Moving Fragments
(2023 - Maracash - Italy)


https://maracashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/moving-fragments


  A group who have the uncanny talent of keeping their classic  sound along with staying up tpo date. This amazing return is from 1970's Italian progressive rock outfit, with frontier man lead vocal Bernardo Lanzetti, who made this band and some PFM albums so specifically brilliant. At this decade, to expect more beauty would be a fantasy, yet it is set before your ears, even with the first notes, this masterpiece of Italian, (and not only Italian) progressive rock that certainly grasps the notion of what the genre of "progressive" was always meant to be. ACQUA FRAGILE create another sweetly classic knockout recording, not with even a heavy breath of past to present effort.  In fact, it sounds and feels more authentic than ever.  Bernardo sounds as if he never aged a week, and all muscians present are at full force, not passing up the chance to make another massively classic album.   An album to put Acqua Fragile at the top of the few chosen progressive rock choices of all time. The first song ('Her Shadlows Torture' 05:52 - editors note:  A misspell on the 'Shadows' which is on Bandcamp at this writing - but is correct as 'Her Shadow's Torture' on physical CD)  hug you and give all relief, as to any possible doubts of a long awaited fourth album by this top notch Italian band. I claim it will leave your heart lay bleeding. Grab the spectral energy and enjoy a glimpse of beautiful cocoon birth.

  Not one song is with sacrifice, even a wink of lamb. In fact, some elements are added to further enchance and stun the audience, such as inclusive female vocals by Rossella Volta. The bulk of the outfit is Piero Canavera (drums, percussion, vocals),  Franz Dondi (bass), Bernardo Lanzetti (lead vocals, guitar, Glovox),  Stefano Pantaleoni (keyboards),  Claudio Tuma (guitars), with special aid by (aforementioned vocalist Rosella Voita) ,  Gigi Cavalli Cocchi - drums (1,6),  Sergio Ponti - drums (4,9), Stef Burns- guitar (2),  Brian Belloni - guitar (4),  Davide Piombino - 7 string guitar (5),  and David Jackson - sax & flute (6). Could you ask for more?   After one listen you cannot want more. Thank Maracash label (Italy) for standing behind so many great Italian artists who have done the blood, sweat, and tears in earlier years, and deserve the attention now.
Although the band name translates to 'Fragile Water', it might be better described as Precious Water at this point and time in our decreasingly cared for world. Perhaps even better, Rare Water. The beauty of this entire recording is apparent, true, sincere, and a step forward. Better than one would dream of, past the point of how all old fans could imagine, and  actually done in the upper atmospheres of what anyone could have dreamed of. Everyone is top notch and most of all, Lanzetti is 100% present, making it another masterpiece.  It is my deep recommendartion for all fans of both classic progressive rock and the new fields of progressive music to give this a direct and full attention (no distractions) listen. RECOMMENDED.
  ©Reviewed by Lee Henderson 1 - 19 - 2024


 

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